Ancient mining from southwest Bulgaria (based on data from Archaeological information system “Archaeological Map of Bulgaria”)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57573/be-ja.15.139-155Keywords:
Ancient mining, Ancient metallurgy, Southwest Bulgaria, Archaeological information system “Archaeological Map of Bulgaria” (AIS AKB)Abstract
The subject of this paper is a review of the archaeological sites associated with ancient ore mining and metallurgy, located in Southwest Bulgaria. The information for this type of sites is drawn mainly from the data recorded in the Archaeological information system “Archaeological Map of Bulgaria” (AIS AKB), as well as from academic publications on the topic. The region under study includes archaeological sites located on the territory of three administrative districts in Bulgaria – Pernik, Kyustendil and Blagoevgrad.
The vast majority of sites associated with ore mining are found in the Kraishte region, situated in today’s Pernik and Kyustendil districts and partly in Republic of Serbia and Republic of North Macedonia. The presence of gold, lead, copper, silver and iron deposits was appreciated already in ancient times, and their exploitation became a major livelihood for the local population. Most numerous are the sites dated to Antiquity, followed by sites from the Middle Ages, but the extraction of precious metals along some rivers may be dated to the Bronze Age as well. There are only a few sites where traces of both mining and metallurgical production are found. The places where slag is registered comprise mainly settlements and the materials discovered are rather from the manufacture of metal items than metal extraction.
Downloads
References
Atanasov, B., Petkov, V., Kulov, I., Grebska-Kulova, M., Dumanov, B., Uzunov, Zh., Gurbov, D., Chukalev, K., Gercheva, V. 2010, Ekspeditsia Struma prez 2009 g. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2009 g. Sofia, 676–678 (in Bulgarian).
Atanasov, B., Petkov, V., Kulov, I., Grebska-Kulova, M., Dumanov, B., Uzunov, Zh., Gurbov, D., Chukalev, K., Gercheva, V. 2011, Ekspeditsia Struma. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2010 g. Sofia, 555–558 (in Bulgarian).
Avdev, S. 1988. Stariyat zlatodobiv kray Sofia. Godishnik na Natsionalnia politehnicheski muzey 17, 118–123 (in Bulgarian).
Avdev, S. 2005. Istoria na zlatodobiva po balgarskite zemi. Sofia: Besike (in Bulgarian).
Chohadziev, S. 1998. A Contribution to the Studies of the Earliest Recovery and Working of Cooper in the Basin of River Struma (Southwestern Bulgaria). Archaeologia Bulgarica II.2, 10–14.
Cholakova, A. 2007. Terenni obhozhdania na teritoriyata na Obshtina Trun prez 2006 g. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2006 g. Sofia, 627–629 (in Bulgarian).
Cholakova, A. 2008a. Terenni nablyudenia na antichen rudodobiven kompleks v Ruy planina. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2007 g. Sofia, 766–768 (in Bulgarian).
Cholakova, A., 2008b. Identifikatsia na sledi ot metaloproizvodstvo v arheologicheski kontekst. Arheologia XLIX.1–4, 117–123 (in Bulgarian).
Deliradev, P. 1926. Vitosha. Populyaren ocherk (Biblioteka „Turisticheska prosveta“ 1). Sofia (in Bulgarian).
Domaradski, M. i kolektiv 2001. Materiali za arheologiyata na Sredna Struma (Razkopki i prouchvania XXVII) Sofia: NAIM– Balgarska Akademia na Naukite (in Bulgarian).
Donevski, J. 2017. Historical development of mining in the Kratovo and Zletovo region. Axios 2, 57–75.
Dremsizova-Nelchinova, Ts. 1987. Arheologicheski pametnitsi v Blagoevgradski okrag. Sofia: Komitet za kultura (in Bulgarian).
Dremsizova-Nelchinova, Ts., Slokoska, L. 1978. Arheologicheski pametnitsi ot Kyustendilski okrag. Sofia: Septemvri (in Bulgarian).
Gaul, J.H. 1942. Possibilities of Prehistoric Metallurgy in the East Balkan Peninsula. American Journal of Archaeology 46.3, 400–409.
Genadieva, V., Chohadzhiev, S. 2002. Arheologicheski pametnitsi ot Kyustendilskoto Kraishte (Arheologicheski pametnitsi ot Kyustendilsko I). Veliko Tarnovo: Faber (in Bulgarian).
Genadieva, V., Chohadzhiev, S. 2003. Arheologicheski pametnitsi ot Kamenitsa (Arheologicheski pametnitsi ot Kyustendilsko II). Veliko Tarnovo: Faber (in Bulgarian).
Georgiev, G.K. 1953. Zhelezodobivnata industria v Marvashko (Rudarstvoto v Yugozapadna Balgaria i Yugoiztochna Makedonia I). Sofia: Balgarska Akademia na Naukite, 1–100 (in Bulgarian).
Georgiev, G. 1978. Starata zhelezodobivna industria v Balgaria. Sofia: Balgarska Akademia na Naukite (in Bulgarian).
Georgieva, R., Alyakova, P., Spiridonov, T. 1981. Terenni prouchvania po dolinata na r. Dragovishtitsa. Expeditio Thracica 2, 7–51 (in Bulgarian).
Gerov, B. 1961. Prouchvania vurkhu zapadnotrakiiskite zemi prez rimsko vreme. Godishnik na Sofiiskia universitet – Filologicheski fakultet LIV. 3, (1959–60), 153–407 (in Bulgarian).
Gerov, B. 1965. Kum vuprosa za izpolzvaneto na minite v Trakia prez rimsko vreme. Izvestia na Narodnia muzey Burgas 2, 63–74 (in Bulgarian).
Archaeological information system “Archaeological Map of Bulgaria” (AIS AKB) http://www.naim-bas.com/akb/ https://akb.naim.bg/bg/
Irechek, K. 1974. Patuvania po Balgaria. Sofia: Nauka i izkustvo (in Bulgarian).
Katsarova, V. 2005. Pautalia i neynata teritoria prez І–VІ v. Veliko Turnovo: Faber (in Bulgarian).
Kecheva, N. 2019. Terenni izdirvania i verifikatsia na rezultatite ot vuzdushno lazerno skanirane (Airborne Lidar) na teritoriata na obsht. Petrich. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2018 g. Sofia, 688–690 (in Bulgarian).
Kecheva, N., Tsvetkova, Y. 2015. Izdirvania na arheologicheski obekti v ramkite na kontsesionna plosht „Breznik“, nahodishte „Milin kamuk“, gr. Breznik. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2014 g. Sofia, 810–814 (in Bulgarian).
Keramitchiev, A. 1977. The Origins of Mining and Metallurgy in Antique Macedonia. Macedoniae Acta Arheologica 3, 103–115.
Kolev, K. 1975, Numizmatichni danni za rudodobiva na Balkanskia poluostrov. In Parvi simpozium po istoria na minnoto delo v Yugoiztochna Evropa. Sbornik dokladi. Varna, 3–6 noemvri, 1975 g., II, Sofia: Nauchno-tehnicheski sayuz po minno delo, geologia i metalurgia, 70–78 (in Bulgarian).
Konyarov, G. 1953. Prinos kam istoriyata na rudarstvoto i metalurgiyata v Balgaria. Sofia: Balgarska Akademia na Naukite (in Bulgarian).
Kulov, I., Grebska-Kulova, M., Atanasov, B., Dumanov, B., Uzunov, Zh., Gurbov, D., Petkov, V., Gercheva, V., Dimitrova, Y., Zlatkov, M., Chukalev, K., Taneva, S., Ilieva, E. 2013. Izdirvania na arheologicheski obekti v obshtini Kresna i Simitli. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2012 g. Sofia, 543–545 (in Bulgarian).
Maksimov, E. 1972. Antichnoto i srednovekovnoto rudarstvo po nashite zemi. Godishnik na Natsionalnia politehnicheski muzey 1, 111–127 (in Bulgarian).
Metallurgy in Southeast Europe from ancient times till the end of the 19th century. Proceedings of the International Symposium, Sozopol 28th–30th September 2005. Sofia: Nauchno-tehnicheski sayuz po minno delo, geologia i metalurgia.
Mihaylov, F. 2008. Novi danni za nay-ranniyat dobiv i obrabotka na med v dolinata na Gorna Struma. In Gergova, D. (ed.) Phosphorion. Studia in honorem Mariae Chichikova. Sofia: NAIM–Balgarska Akademia na Naukite, 35–47 (in Bulgarian).
Mihaylov, F. 2017a. Izdirvane na arheologicheski obekti v zemlishtata na selata Velinovo, Glogovitsa, Milkiovtsi i Erul, obshtina Trun. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2016 g. Sofia, 666–669 (in Bulgarian).
Mihaylov, F. 2017b. Izdirvane na arheologicheski obekti v zemlishteto na s. Babitsa, obshtina Breznik. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2016 g. Sofia, 669–671 (in Bulgarian).
Mitova-Dzhonova, D. 1983. Arheologicheski pametnitsi v Pernishki okrag. Sofia: Natsionalen institut za pametnitsi na kulturata (in Bulgarian).
Nekhrizov, G. 2018. Project “Archaeological map of Bulgaria”. Bulgarian e-Journal of Archaeology 8.2, 197–212 (in Bulgarian), https://be-ja.org/index.php/Be-JA/article/view/177
Nenov, T. 1994. Kratki belezhki za drevnia zlatodobiv po balgarskite zemi. In Todorova, H., Popov, P. (eds) Problemi na nai-rannata metalurgia (Trudove na Minno-geolozhkia universitet, 4). Sofia: Minno-geolozhki universitet, 120–121 (in Bulgarian).
Paunova, V. 2017. Izdirvane na arheologicheski obekti v zemlishtata na selata Zabel, Turokovtsi, Lomnitsa i gr. Trun, obshtina Trun. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2016 g. Sofia, 663–666 (in Bulgarian).
Peev, I. 1980. Veshtestveni pametnitsi ot zlatodobivaneto po balgarskite zemi. Vekove 4, 48–57 (in Bulgarian).
Pencheva, E. 2018. Novi nablyudenia varhu ukreplenieto v mestnostta Golemo gradishte v zemlishteto na s. Kladnitsa, obshtina Pernik. In Valchev, I. (ed.) Stephanos archaeologicos ad 80 annum professoris Ludmili Getov (Studia Archaeologica Universitatis Serdicensis, Supplementum VI). Sofia: UI “Sv. Kliment Ohridski” 479–490 (in Bulgarian with English summary).
Petrunov, R. 2002. Himicheski analizi na metalni shlaki. In Bozkova, A., Delev, P. (eds) Koprivlen 1. Spasitelni arheologicheski prouchvania po putia Gotze Delchev – Drama 1998–1999. Sofia: NOUS, 294–295 (in Bulgarian).
Popov, H. 2004. Arheometalurgia na zhelyaznata epoha v balgarskite zemi – sastoianie i perspektivi na prouchvaniata. Archeologia XLV.1–2, 33–41 (in Bulgarian).
Popov, K., Popov, P. 2019. The Alpine late collisional Rila-Rhodope Metallogenic Zone of the Balkan Orogenic System. Review of the Bulgarian Geological society 80.1, 55–79.
Purvi simpozium po istoria na minnoto delo v Yugoiztochna Evropa. Sbornik dokladi ot simpoziuma, 3–6 noemvri 1975 g., Varna, 1, 2. Sofia: Nauchno-tehnicheski sayuz po minno delo, geologia i metalurgia (in Bulgarian).
Ruzicka, L. 1933. Die Münzen von Pautalia. Izvestia na Balgarskia arheologicheski institut VII, (1932–33), 1–216.
Stoychev, R. 2012. Zlato, srebro, med i kalay. Danni za rudodobiva v Trakia i Sredizemnomorieto prez II–I hil. pr.Hr. In Shalganova, T., Ganeva, V. (eds) Heterotopia i prirodni resursi. Sofia: Nеw Bulgarian University, 162–186 (in Bulgarian).
Todorova, H., Dimitrov, K. 2005. Sovremennie issledovania arheometalurgii v Bolgarii. Rossiyskaia arheologia 4, 6–12 (in Russian with English summary).
Tsintsov, Z. 2018. Dulgo pazenite „blagorodni“ tayni ot aluviyalnite sedimenti. Rechnoto zlato v dneshna Balgaria. In Aleksandrov, St., Dimitrova, Y., Popov, H., Horesh, B., Chukalev, K. (eds) Zlato i bronz. Metali, tehnologii i mezhduregionalni kontakti na teritoriyata na Iztochnite Balkani prez bronzovata epoha. Sofia: NAIM–Balgarska Akademia na Naukite, 59–70 (in Bulgarian).
Vagalinski, L., Kecheva, N., Cholakov, I. 2017. Izdirvane na arheologicheski obekti v obshtina Petrich. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2016 g. Sofia, 690–691 (in Bulgarian).
Vagalinski, L., Kecheva, N. 2018. Terenni izdirvania v obshtina Petrich. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2017 g. Sofia, 616–618 (in Bulgarian).
Velkov, I. 1955. Rudarstvoto vav Vitosha s ogled na zlatodobivaneto. Priroda IV.3, 87–90.
Velkov, V. 1972. Rudodobivane i minno delo v drevna Trakia. Godishnik na Natsionalnia politehnicheski muzey 2, 23–41 (in Bulgarian).
Vitov, O. 2007. Geolozhki i istoricheski svedenia za zlatodobiv v Kyustendilska oblast. Izvestia na Istoricheski muzey – Kyustendil 13, 439–471 (in Bulgarian).
Vtori simpozium po istoria na minnoto delo i metalurgiyata v Yugoiztochna Evropa. In Demirov, D. (red.) Sbornik dokladi ot simpoziuma, 10–12 noemvri 1988 g., Chiprovtsi. Godishnik na natsionalnia politehnicheski muzey, 17. Sofia (in Bulgarian).
Zahariev, Y. 1918. Kyustendilskoto Kraishte. Sbornik za narodni umotvorenia i narodopis XXХII. Sofia: Balgarska akademia na naukite (in Bulgarian).
Zlatkov, M., Nankov, E., Kulov, I., Dumanov, B., Tsoneva, Hr., Yordanov, S. 2018. Terenni izdirvania v obshtina Simitli. Arheologicheski otkritia i razkopki prez 2017 g. Sofia, 613–615 (in Bulgarian).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ivo Cholakov (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
The authors retain full copyright on the articles or other publications.
All materials are published under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License, under which materials may be distributed or reproduced freely, provided the original is unchanged and is quoted correctly.
